Thursday, July 23, 2009

Infrastructure definitely got a big boost - at least on paper - with the Union Budget indicating the availability of a whopping Rs 1,00,000 crore for speeding up infrastructure projects across the country.

Yet, the progress of the development works in Bangalore doesn’t show any sign of urgency.

Here’s why: Since April 2009, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has completed only 15 per cent of the ‘small works’ allotted to it as part of its task of developing 12 of the City’s 28 Assembly constituencies.

On the other hand, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), responsible for the small and medium works for the remaining 16 constituencies, is yet to call fortenders!

“The tender process was delayed due to the recently concluded Parliamentary elections,” said a Palike official.

It is learnt that the newly appointed BBMP Commissioner, Bharat Lal Meena has now directed the officials to call for tenders and disburse works within two months.

According to the State Budget allocations, the Palike has Rs 6 crore earmarked for each ward. The works include maintenance of roads, footpath, street lights, parks, storm drains and other immediate issues that need to be addressed.

The budgetary allocation made to the BBMP for these works is Rs 300 crore. “With most of the areas already developed, the allocations are justified for the maintenance to be carried,” said the Palike official.

No consolidated list

However, the Palike does not have a consolidated list of small works to be carried out in the 16 constituencies in Bangalore.

The Bangalore Development Authority was allotted Rs 626 crore in the State Budget to assist the Palike in maintaining the City.

While most constituencies allocated to it for development are relatively less developed -which explains the higher budgetary allocation, the work progress is slow.

1,554 works

In all, the Bangalore Development Authority is entrusted with 1,554 works. “Since the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is yet to complete certain works, we are unable to progress with nearly 398 works in these constituencies,” explained a Bangalore Development Authorityofficial.

A total of 985 allotted works worth Rs 418.31 crore have already begun, accounting for the 15 per cent progress till date. “We will be able to complete the works by end of July,” said a confident Bangalore Development Authority official.